The landscape of women’s basketball representation is undergoing a profound transformation, and Tiauna Jackson stands at the forefront of this change. As the only boutique agency owner featured in the New York Times’ 2019 Hollywood profile, Jackson has built a career on breaking barriers. Now, with her certification as a WNBA agent, she brings a revolutionary approach to athlete advocacy at a pivotal moment in women’s sports.
“This expansion into sports representation is a natural progression of my work,” Jackson explains from The Jackson Agency’s Century City headquarters, where she’s transformed a boutique talent agency into a tri-city operation. “But it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate what modern athlete advocacy should be.”
What distinguishes Jackson’s methodology is her unique combination of entertainment industry expertise, legal training, and investigative rigor. While traditional sports agents typically focus on contract negotiations, The Jackson Agency founder has already demonstrated a commitment to systemic advocacy that extends far beyond individual client relationships.
This revolutionary approach was evident even before she obtained WNBPA certification, when Jackson launched an investigation into facility issues affecting the Chicago Sky and the Village of Bedford Park. She examined municipal records, traced bureaucratic promises, and demanded institutional accountability for athletes.
“I’ve uncovered concerning inconsistencies in city records regarding facility construction promises made to players,” Jackson reveals. “Professional athletes deserve proper facilities and transparent communication. My legal education and investigative approach allow me to examine these situations thoroughly and advocate effectively.”
Jackson’s timing couldn’t be more strategic. Women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented commercial growth and media attention, creating an environment where her entertainment background provides maximum value. Today’s athletes increasingly need representation that extends beyond traditional sports contracts into content creation, brand development, and multimedia opportunities.
“The lines between entertainment and sports are blurring rapidly,” Jackson observes. “This convergence is where I’ve built my career, and now it’s becoming essential for athlete success.”
Her credentials as a barrier-breaker are well-established. Jackson became the first Black woman to achieve Writers Guild franchise status in both Los Angeles and Atlanta, then the first Black woman elected to the Association of Talent Agents’ Board of Directors, where she remains the sole Black woman serving.
“I’ve always entered spaces where I could create pathways for others to follow,” Jackson reflects. “Whether it was in entertainment or now in sports, the goal is to establish excellence that opens doors while improving conditions for everyone.”
What makes the revolutionary agent’s approach particularly valuable for athletes is her agency’s comprehensive infrastructure. The Jackson Agency holds SAG-AFTRA, Directors Guild of America (DGA), and Writers Guild of America (WGA) franchises—meaning athletes can seamlessly transition into acting, directing, writing, music, and other entertainment ventures with full union representation.
“We’re not just talking about crossover potential—we’re equipped to make it happen,” Jackson explains. “Whether an athlete wants to act, write, direct, or pursue music, we have the industry relationships and union standings to support those transitions authentically.”
Currently pursuing her Doctorate of Jurisprudence while currently expanding into women’s basketball, Jackson sees opportunities that traditional agents might miss and challenges that others might accept. Her legal training provides advocacy capabilities that extend into institutional accountability and systemic change.
“Professional athletes, especially when they are women, have been told to be grateful for whatever facilities and conditions they receive,” Jackson says. “I rejected that entirely before I was even certified. Excellence in representation means using every tool available to advocate for athletes.”
With clients internationally and across major U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York, Jackson’s pioneering agency has built the platform necessary to provide comprehensive representation spanning multiple industries. Her appearance as a panelist at Howard University School of Law’s Sports and Entertainment Symposium in 2024 previewed this strategic direction, where she discussed the intersection of legal advocacy and athlete representation.
“Excellent representation means thinking beyond the immediate deal to the long-term health of the entire industry,” Jackson explains. “Women’s basketball deserves advocacy that matches its legacy. The USA women’s team has won 10 gold medals. Considering we didn’t have a professional league stateside, we have to do a better job of celebrating women’s contributions to sport.”
Jackson’s revolutionary model extends beyond individual achievement to systemic transformation. She co-founded the Black Agents Network alongside TheFState owner Mr. Ezra Jones, and has taught aspiring agents the ins and outs through her Black Talent Agent Training Academy.
“I didn’t just want to enter women’s basketball,” Jackson concludes. “I wanted to show what representation can accomplish when you refuse to accept limitations and use every tool available to advocate for excellence.”
